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"Moreover, you scorned our people, and compared the Albanese to sheep, and according to your custom think of us with insults. Nor have you shown yourself to have any knowledge of my race. Our elders were Epirotes, where this Pirro came from, whose force could scarcely support the Romans. This Pirro, who Taranto and many other places of Italy held back with armies. I do not have to speak for the Epiroti. They are very much stronger men than your Tarantini, a species of wet men who are born only to fish. If you want to say that Albania is part of Macedonia I would concede that a lot more of our ancestors were nobles who went as far as India under Alexander the Great and defeated all those peoples with incredible difficulty. From those men come these who you called sheep. But the nature of things is not changed. Why do your men run away in the faces of sheep?"

Letter from Skanderbeg to the Prince of Taranto ▬ Skanderbeg, October 31 1460

Here are some of the possible explanations of the origin of the so-called Illyrian tribal names.

The names of the Balkan Dalmatians (Glamočani) and North-European Delaminci (Glomači) could be taken as the most important (crucial) evidence that Slavic tribes were living in the Balkan even in the most ancient B. C. times.

Albanoi; family names Albijanić, Labanić; Labović, Albić, Alavanja, Labus; toponyms Lab, Labin.Lapovo (obviously Albanoi and Labeati were the two names of the same Slavic tribe called Labani or Labinjani (related to the Serbian verb livati/liti (pour, libation); when prefixed by the preposition *sa- (with) Labani could became S-labani, S-lavani (Slavs); of course these two names, Labani and Slabani/Sloveni/Slavs are most closely related and I will explain it soon in a new thread.

Ardiaei (Vardaei); Serbian surname Varda, village Varda in central Serbia; related to Dardani, Serbian Tvrdani; Serbian varda is a apheresis of ut-vrda (fortress; t/vrđava) and varda has the same meaning in Serbian as tvrđava (fortress).

Ardian; same as above, varda.

Autariatae; those people were on and around the today's Serbian mountain Tara (Western Serbia); Serbian surname Tarana; as we can see the names of the mountain and the river ─ Tara are derived from the same source as the name of the river Drina (Tara is the tributary of Drina) and the name of the ancient Autariatae's centar Tariona (all words connected to the Serbian words teranje (driving, forcing, urge or force /a person/ to an action), udariti, udaranje (hit, strike, beat); hence also Illyrian-Slavic tribes Deuri (Serbian family names Devrići, Deurići, Deure, Deronjići, Deretići; when we observe the Serbian verb udarati/udariti (hit, strike, beat) and compare it with other Serbian words as derati (flay), terati (force, drive, terrorize), trenje/treti (de-trition, friction), sa-tirati (destroy) then we are getting a clearer picture what really has happened, not only to the name of the Autariatae tribe but also we are going to understand where the other tribe names (as above Deuri or even Dardani and Dindari; cf. Serbian surname Tintor) originated from.

Breuci; probably Serbi Prečani; from the Serbian adverb preko (over, through, beyond; in this case "beyond the river Drina" - Serbs from Bosnia).

Bylliones; Serbian tribe Bjelani; Serbian town of Bijeljina in Bosnia; Bjelice a tribe in Montenegro.

Dalmatae; in the year 1983 Heinrich Kunstmann wrote a chapter in his book (Die Welt der Slawen) under very interesting heading: Kamen die westslawischen Daleminci aus Dalmatien? (Did the West-Slavic Daleminci come from Dalmatia?; 364-371). Kunstmann writes:

Kunstmann follows Germania's Serbs called Dalminci/Glomači (Sclavi, qui vocantur Dalmatii) to Illyria's Serbs, to Duklya/Dalmatia, to Dlamoch and Glamoch. He also added that there would be no need to search for a certain Old-European (extinct) people, because the etymology of the names Daleminci/ Glomači and the Balkan Dalmatae/Glamoč is clearly Serbo-Slavic. Of course, Kunstmann was right, because the Dalmatian name was born from the Gon-Bel-Gon basis; wherefrom the Serbian word dolmača => dumača (valley, barrow, hole, pit); from Glumača (g=>d velar to dental sound change; i.e. Serbian hum/humka (mound) from hlum or hulm/helm (from humila => gomila heap; also known as mogila; this word suffered a very hard transposition of sounds and syllables within the word); all finally related to the Serbian word oblak (Serb. kobeljanje rolling about; kobeljanje oblaka “rolling of the clouds”; Latin cumulus (heap, pile), accumulo -are heap up, pile up; Serb. n/a-gomilati heap up, pile up). In reality, Serbian glumača and dlumača/dumača have opposite meanings: Glumača/Glamoč/Glomač is the mountainous area and Dlumača is a sub-mountainous region, which appeared to be a deep pit when observed from the mountain's heights.

Daorsi; Tresići, Trsići; Serbian village Tršić where the great Serbian linguist Vuk S. Karadžić was born; from trsiti se (be courageous), otresit (self-assured); towns of Trsat in Dalmatia and Trieste in Italy

Dardani; the Serbo-Slavic tribe's family and personal names Turudići, Tvrdići, Turudija, Darodan, Tvrdani (interesting in the Bible Darda is "a wise man" and in Serbo-Slavic Darodan is "a gifted man")

Illyri; there is no one in the world who can say that Illyrian language ever existed; also, no one can say that Illyrians were ever a compact nation. The name Illyric might be connected to the instrument lyra and Latin hilaro -are [to make joyful, to cheer up]. In fact, Illyrians could be named Kolarići in Serbian (cf. today pejorative name for Serbs and Yugoslavs in Germany - Kolaritsch). Of course, the initial velar is omitted in Illyric, just as it happened in thousands of other IE words (cf. Greek ήλιος/helios the sun). (H)elios (the sun) was named like that thanks to the round shape of that star (Serbian kolo circle; Greek κύκλος circle, κυλιστος twined in a circle). The Serbian word KOLO also means 'dance' (Serb. kolo igrati - dance, celebrate; here we can see that Latin celebratio clearly corresponds to the Serbian word 'kolovrat' [vrteti se u kolu - to rotate in a circle]).

Now we know that Latin 'hilaro' is the same word as Serbian 'kolari' (those who dance, celebrate, kolovrte or vrte se u kolu). The name Slavs also comes from the verb 'slaviti' (celebrate or dance in a circle). Additionally, Serbian words 'slaviti' (celebrate) and 'sloboda' (freedom, liberty) came from the same paleo-basis (shur-bhel-ghon). Interesting, the same logic was present when Albanians took the Latin word 'hilaro' as their 'liri' (liberty; from hilabr => liber-).

Narensii; Neretvljani, Serbo-Slavic river Neretva, Nerodiva (fruitless), similar to the river Nerodimka (from Nerodibka => Nerodivka; cf. Neretva) in Serbia (also infertile, barren) that bore the name Rodimka (fruitfull, fertile), before its bifurcation disappeared (desiccated); cf. the village Nerodimlje by the reiver Nerodimka in Serbia, village Radimlje (near Stolac, Bosnia), and village Radomlje (Slovenia), village Radovlje (Bosnia), village Radoblje (Croatia). In these cases, there are two key words: radjati /rod, rodovi/ (to give birth, genus, relatives) and the word radovati se (be joies), both closely connected because the people of the Balkan consider the birth (especially the son's birth) to be the greatest joy possible.

Ortoplini; obviously, the names Rodovlje (rodovlje relatives, genus), Rodoblje, Radovlje, Rodimlje, Radimlje, which could also be derived from the Serbian word rodoljublje (patriotism), Rodoljub (personal name; one who loves his nation) are very close to the above tribe name - Ortoplini. As we know, the Greeks had a custom of adding an initial vowel to the words of the foreign origin (cf. Slavic Radgost, Greek Αρδαγαστος, Egypt/Αιγυπτος from Latin Coptus, Arabic qubtu).

Oseriates; there are many of Slavic tribe names well-known during the Middle Ages: Krivići, Vjatići, Hrvati, Bodrići, Ljutići, Dragovići, Severjani (Severci), Milinzi, Duljebi, Došani, Timočani, Strumičani, Pomorani, Rugini, Poljani, Planjani; (all under the common name Sloveni /Slavs/); Even today, Serbian people in Montenegro are organized in tribes: Vasojevići, Lješnjani, Bjelice, Grbljani, Piperi, Crnmničani, Moračani, Rovčani, Ceklinjani, Njeguši, Drobnjaci, Pivljani, Banjani, Paštrovići, Zećani, Mrkojevići, Bjelopavlići, Cuce, Čevljani, Bratonožić, Herakovići, Mandići, Ozrinići, Pješivci, Zagarač i Komani. In reality, any village of the Balkan Serbs/Slavs could potentially be a new "Illyrian nation". Among medieval tribes was a tribe called Jezerci and that Jezerci could be compared to the Illyrian Oseriates and to the Mentenegrin Ozriniće (the author of this text belongs to the Ozrinic tribe).

Pannoni; there is a division between people living on mountains (Serb. Planinci, ancient Plananji) and the people living in plains (Poljani); similar to the above-mentioned division to Glomače (highlanders) and Du-l-mačane, Dalmate (submountaines people).

Parentini; Serbian family name Parentići; for instance, there is a Serbian tribe in Bosnia called Parjenice (in accordance with a certain implement in which the cloth is steamed (Serb. para steam)

Taulanti; cf, Serbian village Tulanovce (Talinovac); in fact, Taulanti is the name similar to Dalmatae; Taulanti are the people living in valleys (Serbian dolina, German Tal); Serbian family name Doljanin, Slovenian Dolanc; cf. village Doljanovci (Slavonija/Croatia).

279 BC First mention of Singidunum, the first name of the city. Founded by the Scordisci, a Celtic tribe.

86 AD HQ of the 4th Roman Legion Flavia Felix.

395 The Roman Empire splits into two and Singidunum passes to the Eastern Roman Empire. Strategically located on the northwestern border, it is exposed to diverse cultural influences and is a magnet for every aspiring conqueror.

878 First mention of the Slavic name for the city - Belgrade - in a letter by Pope John VIII to Bulgarian Prince Boris I Mihail, informing the latter of the dismissal of Bishop of Belgrade for debauchery.

896-1232 Battleground between Hungary and Byzantine Empire, it changes hands eight times. Once seized by Bulgaria and twice ransacked by Crusaders on their way to Jerusalem.

1166 Stefan Nemanja asserts himself as the Grand Prince of Serbs, creates an independent Serbian state and founds Nemanjić dynasty. He is crowned king of Serbs by the Pope.

1219 Serbian Orthodox Church gains independence.

1284 King Stefan Dragutin receives Belgrade from Hungary as a gift - this is the first time that the city passes to Serbian rule.

1319 Hungary reclaims Belgrade.

1346 King Stefan Dušan of Nemanjić house crowned Emperor of Serbs and Greeks. Following his demise, the empire dissolves and Serbian noblemen create their own states.

1389 Battle of Kosovo. Prince Lazar Hrebeljanović rallies Serbian nobility to stand up to Turkish expansion into Europe. Europe celebrates the victory of Christianity because of the death of Turkish sultan and Turkish retreat, but Serbia cannot recover as most of its nobility, including Prince Lazar, perished in the battle. He is succeeded by his underage son Stefan Lazarević, who becomes a Turkish vassal.

1403 Despot Stefan Lazarević receives Belgrade from Hungary, rebuilds it and makes it the capital of Serbia.

1427 Hungary reclaims Belgrade following the death of Despot Stefan Lazarević.

1440 Sultan Murad II lays siege to Belgrade with 100,000 Turkish soldiers and 200 ships. The city endures the siege following fierce struggle.

1878 Formal independence of Serbia recognized at the Congress of Berlin.

1882 Kingdom of Serbia proclaimed under King Milan Obrenović.

1903 The May Coup d’Etat. Group of officers styled Black Hand assassinates King Aleksandar Obrenović and Queen Draga Mašin, because their love was unacceptable to people. The house of Obrenović becomes extinct, King Petar I Karađorđević (grandson to Karađorđe) claims the throne.

1912 First Balkan War launched by Serbia, Greece and Bulgaria against Ottoman Turkey. Turks driven out of Kosovo and Metohija, the last occupied part of Serbia.

1913 Second Balkan War waged and won by Serbia against Bulgaria.

1914 Outbreak of the First World War. Austro-Hungary shells and captures Belgrade. After the Battle of Cer, the first allied victory in WWI, and Kolubara, Serbian army liberates Belgrade and drives the Austro-Hungarian army out of Serbia.

1915 Germany and Bulgaria enter the war siding with Austro-Hungary. German and Austro-Hungarian troops capture Belgrade. Beginning of three-year-long occupation and plunder of the city. Serbian army retreats under attack across Albania towards Greece and Corfu Island.

1916 Healed Serbian soldiers join the allied army in the Salonica Front.

1918 With the breakthrough of the Salonica Front, Serbian army returns to Serbia. In WWI, Serbia had 1,247,000 casualties (28% of its total population). Serbs, Croats and Slovenes unite into one state and Belgrade becomes the capital of Yugoslavia.

1934 King Aleksandar visits Marseille in a bid to strengthen a defence union with France against Germany and is assassinated by Croatian Ustashe.

1941 The 27th March protests erupt against joining the Axis (Germany - Italy - Japan). Following a coup d’etat, 17-year-old Crown Prince Petar assumes the throne. Nazi Germany bombs Belgrade on 6th April. The King and the government go into exile. Emergence of two Serbian resistance movements - chetnicks of Draža Mihailović and Tito’s partisans. Yugoslav territory is divided between Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, Hungary and Independent State of Croatia.

1944 Belgrade is repeatedly bombed by the Allies. Tito’s partisans and the Red Army liberate the city on 20th October.

1945 Toll of war is 1,700,000 deaths, chiefly among Serbs. Monarchy is abolished, Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia is proclaimed, and Josip Broz Tito is officially installed in power. In the post-war period, Belgrade grows rapidly and develops into an important centre of political, cultural and sporting life. Crown Prince Aleksandar, son to King Peter II is born in Claridges Hotel in London.

1961 The first Conference of Non-Aligned Countries held in Belgrade.

1968 Students’ protests against social inequities and bureaucracy. Soon after, hundreds of thousands of Belgraders at Nikola Pašić Square protest the Russian occupation of Czechoslovakia.

1980 Josip Broz Tito dies. Yugoslavia is now governed by “Presidency” comprised of 8 members (6 from the republics and 2 from Serbian provinces).

1991 Ethnic and political divisions lead to the collapse of Yugoslavia. Slovenia and Croatia declare independence, civil war erupts. Crown Prince Aleksandar II visits Belgrade for the first time in his life.

1992 European Community recognises Croatia and Bosnia. Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is proclaimed. UN Security Council imposes economic embargo on Yugoslavia over its support to Serbs in Croatia and Bosnia, who want to unify with the federal Yugoslavia.

1993 The highest hyperinflation in history - a 500,000,000,000 dinar note is printed in Belgrade.

1994 End of hyperinflation, new dinar introduced.

1995 In the aftermath of Croatian war, around 300,000 Serb refugees leave Croatia for Serbia.

1996 Massive protests against Slobodan Milošević over electoral fraud at local elections.

1999 Long-lasting aspirations of Kosovo Albanians to secede from Serbia escalate in violent conflicts between Serbs and Albanians in Kosovo. The NATO forces bomb Serbia and Belgrade for three months, without endorsement of the UN Security Council. Slobodan Milošević is accused of crimes against humanity during the wars of Yugoslav succession. In June, following a piece agreement, NATO troops are stationed in Kosovo and Metohija. Around 200,000 Kosovo Serbs find refuge in Serbia.

2000 Slobodan Milošević is ousted amidst huge demonstrations over electoral fraud. Relations with European countries and the US improve.

2003 Federal Republic of Yugoslavia is replaced by State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. Serbian Prime Minister, Zoran Đinđić, is assassinated by a criminal clan.

2004 Before the eyes of NATO and UN forces, around 50,000 Albanians launch orchestrated attacks on remaining Serbian villages in Kosovo and torch Serbian houses. In less than 48 hours, Albanians desecrate and destroy 30 Serbian churches and monasteries.

2006 State Union of Serbia and Montenegro ceases to exist. Serbia is again an independent state. Belgrade is named City of Future of South Europe by Financial Times.

2007 Negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo Albanians about the status of Kosovo. Serbia is offering broad autonomy, Albanians desire nothing less than independence. The international community is divided over this issue.

2008 With support of the USA and some of the EU countries, Albanians from Kosovo and Metohija province of Serbia declare independence from Serbia. The international community is still divided over this issue - some countries have recognised Kosovo independence, some are against it. Serbian leadership does not want an armed conflict and is striving to prevent the secession of its province through diplomatic and political means. Massive protests are staged throughout Serbia. Around 500,000 people are gathered in Belgrade at peaceful demonstrations and prayer against Kosovo independence, while several hundreds of youngsters demolish and burn the emptied building of the US Embassy.

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing